Spruce Grove ballpark closes for season as construction delays frustrate season-ticket holder

Spruce Grove's collegiate summer baseball team, the Energy City Cactus Rats, has shut down its ballpark for the remainder of the 2026 season after repeated heavy rainfall slowed construction crews to the point that no further games will be held at Energy City Metro Ballpark.

The ballpark underwent significant work this summer to prepare for its first season welcoming fans since the team rebranded in spring 2025. However, after the league's board of governors determined there was no longer a meaningful opportunity to achieve fan occupancy before season's end, the decision was made to close the facility.

Neil Olsen, a season-ticket holder for over two years who paid $2,600 to watch the team play at the ballpark in 2024, said he has exhausted his patience. "To use a baseball term, three strikes, you're out. That's basically where I'm at. I'm falling under the definition of insanity where we're doing the same thing over and over again but expecting a different result," said Olsen, who is seeking a refund.

Kevin Kvame, president of the Western Canadian Baseball League, acknowledged frustrations with the delays but said the league's priority is keeping games running at ballparks with fans in attendance. Once playoffs conclude and a champion is crowned, the board of governors will begin planning for 2027. "There's going to be fall meetings; the Cactus Rats still have to renew their membership as every team does in September, declare that they are going to be in, have a facility and show us a plan, then the governors will have to make an agreement with the Cactus Rats about how that's going to look for 2027," said Kvame.

Olsen said he remains committed to the team. "When I see the place open, we'll buy back in."